XIAN, China -- Two coal mine gas explosions, one of which was deadly and the second involving a rescue bid for five men trapped underground, were reported Tuesday in China.

The latest explosion was reported at mine in Hangchen City, in the northwestern province of Shaanxi, where five workers were trapped at the Xinglong Coal Mine, which is under construction, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

A company spokesman said rescuers were trying to reach the workers but gave no other details, the report said.

Regional officials in Hangchen announced there had been a fatal mine explosion and gas fire elsewhere in the region Monday that killed three miners. Officials said one miner escaped the blast unharmed.

Thousands of miners die in Chinese mines each year, many in accidents blamed on safety shortcuts and fierce competition to reach production quotas, Xinhua has previously reported.